Program Description

This program is aligned with the current regulations for Professional Licensure in Massachusetts. Upon completion of this program, students will be sponsored for the Professional License.

Please note: other requirements for the Professional License include: 1) completion of a one-year induction program with a mentor, 2) at least three full years of employment in the role of the license, i.e. as a Biology Teacher in grades 8 - 12, and 3) at least 50 hours of a mentored experience beyond the induction year.

Admission Requirements

The following are required for admission into the Master’s of Education in Middle School Teaching program:

• Possession of a valid, Initial License to teach in Massachusetts (see below for information on obtaining Initial Licensure at Suffolk)
• Completion of Graduate Application for Admission. No additional testing is required for this program.
• GPA of 3.0 if you complete the Intial Licensure component prior to enrolling in the MEd courses. 

Course Requirements

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE

The MEd in Middle School Teaching Professioal Licensure program consists of the following:

• 4 required courses (12 semester hours)
• 2 elective courses (6 semester hours)
• 6 concentration courses (18 semester hours)
• 7 couses for Initial Licensure (if necessary)

Required Core Courses          12 Semester Hours

EHS 800    English Language Acquisition Strategies  
EHS 803    Psychology of Learning Disabilities  
EHS 805    Differentiated Instruction  
EHS 831    Action Research
  
Electives        6 Semester Hours

EHS 801    Child and Adolescent Development  
EHS 806    Reading Theory, Pedagogy, and Practice  
EHS 807    Reading and Writing in the Content Areas  
EHS 808    Working in Schools:  Seminar
EHS 809    Mentoring  
EHS 810    Culturally Responsive Education  
EHS 814    Urban Schooling   
EHS 820    Legal Aspects of Compulsory Education  
EHS 821    Curriculum Theory  
EHS 822    Curriculum Development  
EHS 832    Advanced Research
   
Concentration Requirements     18 Semester Hours
 
Six courses of graduate level work in the academic content area for which the license is being sought are required.  Suffolk University sponsors candidates for licensure as Middle School teachers of English, History, General Science, Mathematics, Spanish, French, German, Visual Arts, and Theatre.

Consult the corresponding academic department for additional information.

INITIAL LICENSURE COMPONENT   

21 Semester Hours/ 7 Courses

This component is designed for individuals who wish to change careers or need to complete additional coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree to obtain initial licensure.  Upon successful completion of their prescribed program, students will be sponsored for initial licensure as teachers in Massachusetts public school systems.  Individuals who continue studying at Suffolk University may use coursework from the licensure component as their elective courses in the M.Ed. program.

Please note that some candidates may be required to perform additional coursework in their selected subject matter (e.g., mathematics or history) to meet the competency requirement established by the Massachusetts Department of Education.  Some candidates may waive up to 12 credits in light of equivalent courses taken elsewhere, relevant life experiences, and/or related activities.

Required Core Courses        21 Semester Hours

EHS 801 Child and Adolescent Development   
EHS 806 Reading Theory, Pedagogy, and Practice   
EHS 810 Culturally Responsive Education   
EHS 811 Curriculum and Pedagogy:  Middle School   
EHS 813 Classroom Communication   
EHS 815 Practicum:  Middle School Teaching    
EHS 817 Assessment Theory and Practice 

Program Advisors

Sarah M. Carroll, Ed.D., Program Director and Associate Professor

Sheila M. Mahoney, Associate Professor

Elizabeth Robinson, Coordinator of Student Teaching and Instructor

Carmen N. Veloria, Coordinator of School Partnerships and Instructor